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EU Shies Away From Shale Gas Legislation

Victory for Britain and Poland as EU Issues Guidelines on Controversial Fracking Technique

By

Vanessa Mock

Jan. 22, 2014 10:16 a.m. ET

BRUSSELS—Britain scored a victory Wednesday, when the European Commission shied away from earlier plans to put forward legislation on the exploration of shale gas.

The European Union's executive issued only guidelines for the technology after strong pressure from Britain and Poland, which are keen to forge ahead with the controversial technique of hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking,' used to tap shale gas reserves.